When Warren Hastings finally laid the cornerstone of the Company Raj in Calcutta, he was faced with a rather critical mission. Conquest should be followed by consolidation- the need for institutions of Colonial memory to override those of indigenous ones. Religion was one such pillar of western material supremacy. Religion was a dialect of imperialism. . In the light of the same, St John's Church was built completely in stone which was a rare building material in the 18th century, especially in the colonies. Stones were taken forcefully from quarries in Gour, shipped down the Hooghly river to build this stately church. Even the architecture was neoclassical - a profound reflection of the enlightenment rationality propagated in Europe, and its subsequent throwback to culture of the late antiquity. Paintings were brought in to adorn it's walls, costly chandeliers, and wooden panels in augmentation. Additionally, Lady Canning's sarcophagus is stationed here, made of pure marble along with Job Charnock's mausoleum and of course, a monument to commemorate the victims of the Black Hole tragedy. One would equally find cenotaphs in honour of British civil and military officers, most notably, James Achilles Kilpatrick- the White Mughal. . It's not surprising St John's is simply another attempt in whitewashing the history of this city. I cannot put in words how proud the Cambridge School historians would be of this monument. And yet, in its preservation, while the indigenous buildings wither away, where do our allegiances as Indians really lie?

Little things called love! 😊 Sometimes these small and calm natural beauties get hushed and ignored in front the glamorous nature world.....but I think they have something more to say...😇 #beauty _personified #lessismore

Many Churches these days do not have this massive organ referred to as the Pipe organ, which resonated the true essence of visiting Churches, its glory, its enormity and splendour. Nevertheless few old Churches built by the British illustrate grandeur of this musical instrument. With the arrival of advent in the city of joy.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . #adventarrives#kolkatadiaries#cityofjoy#almostchristmas#likeforlikes